The Parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to show compassion and mercy without boundaries or prejudices. It emphasizes the importance of active faith through acts of kindness and love toward others. The story inspires reflection on our willingness to help those in need and encourages us to be vessels of grace and love.
Category Archives: life
Consider Abundant Life
Oliver Wendell Holmes and J.C. Penney embraced life as they aged, emphasizing the importance of vision and preparation. Jesus’ teaching underscores the value of a purposeful life, not just a long one. Many fear aging, but it can enhance appreciation for life. Graceful aging is marked by readiness for the journey’s end and anticipation of home.
Praying the Scripture
The passage from James 4:11 admonishes against slandering and judging others. The subsequent prayer includes adoration, confession of wrongdoing, thanksgiving, supplication for wisdom and grace, consecration to following God’s will, and intercession for others. The prayer seeks forgiveness for judgmental speech and a heart of love and unity.
The Sanctity of the Senior
Western society often prioritizes youth over the elderly, leading to issues like legal euthanasia. However, God values the elderly and commands respect for them. As believers age, they have much to offer and can still bear fruit. Aging is an opportunity to reflect on the gospel’s power and continue serving God with zeal and purpose.
When Mental Illness Steals a Loved One
This life story captures the complexity of the relationship between the author and her father. Despite feeling like a nuisance to her father and experiencing rejection from others, the author gradually uncovers the threads of her father’s struggle with depression and undiagnosed ADHD. Understanding this, she reflects on how their relationship might have been different with this knowledge.
He Only Lived Two Minutes
A father mourns the loss of his son, born with a fatal chromosomal abnormality, and questions why God would create a child to live for only two minutes. He grapples with the purpose of his son’s short life, finding solace in the belief that all individuals are created for eternity, where their true calling awaits.
By His Touch
In Matthew 8:1-3, Jesus’ boundary-crossing mercy and divine compassion are evident as he heals a leper, challenging societal norms. This theme of God’s inclusive love is reflected in other biblical narratives. The passage compels believers to actively engage in societal reconciliation, embodying Christ’s compassion. Insights from Keener and France provide cultural and theological depth, and the narrative resonates with Jesus calming the storm, showcasing His authority over chaos and offering hope in times of turmoil. These narratives empower believers to trust in God’s willingness to intervene and to stand firm in spiritual warfare through prayer, community support, and a deep understanding of Scripture.
As the Day Ends
Evening Reflection on Matthew 5:27-30 As evening falls, we reflect on the profound teachings of Jesus regarding sin and temptation. The passage from Matthew calls us to consider not only our actions but the purity of our thoughts. It challenges us to confront our inner weaknesses and compels us to take decisive actions to avoidContinue reading “As the Day Ends”
Today, You Will Be with Me
It is common knowledge that punctuation, including commas, was introduced into the biblical manuscripts centuries after the books were completed. Therefore, commas are not authoritative. However, the placement of commas can affect our understanding of a text. For example, in Luke 23, one of the thieves crucified next to Jesus says, “‘Jesus, remember me whenContinue reading “Today, You Will Be with Me”
A Good Goal to Be Quiet About
Believers are saved for a purpose—to show forth God’s glory and character (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:9). In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul instructs Christians to live a life pleasing to God so that we fulfill our God-ordained mission. Paul writes, “Make it your goal to lead a quiet life, minding your own business and workingContinue reading “A Good Goal to Be Quiet About”
Intentional Faith 